Contradictions Appear About Favreau And Marvel

We told you earlier today the disappointing news that Jon Favreau isn’t fully behind the Iron Man 2 release date. The director posted via his MySpace message board that he’s not fully behind an Iron Man sequel released by 2010, especially since he hasn’t heard from Marvel in five weeks. That meas Favreau isn’t attached to a sequel and is concerned that, by the time he is brought in (if he is brought in), there won’t be enough time to craft a well planned out movie.

What’s that, you say? “If he’s brought in?” That’s right. The big concern is that Marvel may be trying to move on with Tony Stark and Iron Man, but without Jon Favreau. Our friends over at IESB say we aren’t being told the whole story. Contradicting what Favreau says, the site claims Favreau and Marvel have been talking about a sequel, but there is a big contrast in money – Favreau is expecting a pay raise based on the success of the first movie, while Marvel is looking to stay cheap.

If what IESB is saying is to be believed, Marvel seems to think they can continue the franchise just as successfully with another director attached. I say that’s ludicrous. The director can make a break a movie. Favreau was obviously interested in Iron Man, and the result is a well plotted out story, with a good balance of development and action. Take a look at the X-Men franchise and see where a director with different interests can destroy a franchise. Bryan Singer good; Brent Ratner smash.

Still, what’s being reported completely contradicts Favreau’s statement that ”It’s been five weeks since the one and only phone call my reps have gotten from Marvel.” Negotiations indicate there’s been some back-and-forth, while Favreau says there’s only been one call. A difference over money would imply there’s been more than one conversation. I can’t imagine anyone would call one phone call featuring a disagreement over money “negotiations.”

Maybe Favreau is being PC and protecting his future employment. Maybe Marvel is making a huge mistake and potentially knocking down a moneymaker. Or maybe there’s only been one phone call and Favreau is still a serious consideration. Regardless of the option, with the current franchise director’s lack of confidence in the announced release date, the future of Iron Man isn’t looking as good as it did when I left the theater from seeing the first film a few weeks ago.